WILKES-BARRE -- The owner of a modular home business admits he took thousands of dollars from some customers without giving them their homes.
The owner of the now-bankrupt Wyoming Homes in Luzerne County was in court Monday and pleaded guilty to theft charges.
David Valenti of Moosic gave up his nearly two-year fight to stay out of jail.
Valenti, the owner of Wyoming Homes in Plains, pleaded guilty Monday to 19 counts of theft by deception, and struck a plea deal with prosecutors in Luzerne County.
Under the deal, Valenti will be sentenced to nine to 18 months in jail and will then be expected to make as much restitution as possible.
"I'm trying to settle some cases," said Valenti. "I've already settled some and I'm doing my best to repay everybody."
Beth Rozelle of Fleetville in Lackawanna County claims Valenti still owes her $32,000 for selling her a damaged modular home that was poorly installed.
But she says Valenti's plea deal closes a costly aggravating court battle.
"It would have been nice if he got a year for each person. But at least he admitted he ripped us off and he's going to go to jail," Rozelle said. "I think he realizes he's done."
Some of the 25 people claiming to be ripped off accused Valenti of never delivering the modular homes they paid for. Others who bought used homes claim Valenti gave them homes that were worth less than the ones they ordered.
And when many of these individuals asked Valenti for a refund of their deposit, they said he refused.
As part of the plea deal, Valenti is ordered to make restitution.
"Take his house, and let him pay us his social security. At least we get something and he'll suffer a little," Rozelle added.
Rozelle knows Valenti may only be able to pay a fraction in restitution.
Wyoming Homes went bankrupt last year. Court records show creditors are owed nearly $6 million.
In 2014, Valenti lost his real estate license, which means he can't sell modular homes.
After the hearing, we caught up with Valenti to ask how he could pay everyone back.
"I was advised not to make any comments, sorry," said Valenti.
Valenti is scheduled to be sentenced May 26, and could head directly to jail to start serving his term of up to 18 months.
That won't be the end of his problems. Valenti faces similar criminal charges in Wyoming and Susquehanna Counties, where he once had Wyoming Homes satellite offices.